“You shall hang up the veil under the clasps, and shall bring in the ark of the testimony there within the veil; and the veil shall serve for you as a partition between the holy place and the holy of holies.“ Exodus 26:33
The mangroves are a significant and vital element in the eco-system.
Mangroves protect the shore, maintain water quality, and serve as nurseries for many fish species. They contain a complex salt and sediment filtration system that supplies essential source of food for coastal communities. This nursery represents the influence and ministry to young people and young Christians, and the abundance of growth to come.
The tree trunk is also seen as a veil, and this is the title of the painting. The veil of mangroves along the shoreline covers from outside view and hides what happens beneath the slow-moving waters on the coastal edge. Hidden, but also protected. The ‘veil’ not only protects our relationship with the Lord, but also between us and those we minister to.
The colour blue represents healing and humanity; purple-lilac is royalty and favour; and orange represents intimacy with the Holy Spirit. These colours combined symbolise the Lord’s calling and separating us unto Himself for a purpose. Separation is not isolation, but a recognition of our spiritual position. It is a two-fold place of separation, it is a ‘separate from’ and a ‘separate to’. Before we are called to task, we are called to the Holy Spirit. It may feel like being in a ‘holding pattern’ unable to land, but the Lord positions us precisely. He grants patience and comfort.
